by the United States government

“ If the committee does not approve the nominee of the agency for facilitator, the agency shall submit a substitute nomination. If a committee does not approve any nominee of the agency for facilitator, the committee shall select by consensus a person to serve as facilitator. A person designated to represent the agency in substantive issues may not serve as facilitator or otherwise chair the committee. ”

“ If a demand for disclosure, by way of discovery request or other legal process, is made upon a neutral regarding a dispute resolution communication, the neutral shall make reasonable efforts to notify the parties and any affected nonparty participants of the demand. Any party or affected nonparty participant who receives such notice and within 15 calendar days does not offer to defend a refusal of the neutral to disclose the requested information shall have waived any objection to such disclosure. ”

“ A party may agree to— (A) submit only certain issues in controversy to arbitration; or (B) arbitration on the condition that the award must be within a range of possible outcomes. (2) The arbitration agreement that sets forth the subject matter submitted to the arbitrator shall be in writing. Each such arbitration agreement shall specify a maximum award that may be issued by the arbitrator and may specify other conditions limiting the range of possible outcomes. (3) An agency may not require any person to consent to arbitration as a condition of entering into a contract or obtaining a benefit. ”

“ An agency may use the services of one or more employees of other agencies to serve as neutrals in dispute resolution proceedings. The agencies may enter into an interagency agreement that provides for the reimbursement by the user agency or the parties of the full or partial cost of the services of such an employee. ”

“ For the purpose of this section--
(1) "agency" has the meaning given it by section 551 of this title; and (2) "State" means a State, a territory or possession of the United States including a Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. (b) An individual who is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State may represent a person before an agency on filing with the agency a written declaration that he is currently qualified as provided by this subsection and is authorized to represent the particular person in whose behalf he acts. ”

“ Advertising practice; restrictions An individual, firm, or corporation practicing before an agency of the United States may not use the name of a Member of either House of Congress or of an individual in the service of the United States in advertising the business. ”

“ The members shall be members of the practicing bar, scholars in the field of administrative law or government, or others specially informed by knowledge and experience with respect to Federal administrative procedure. (c) Members of the Conference, except the Chairman, are not entitled to pay for service. Members appointed from outside the Federal Government are entitled to travel expenses, including per diem instead of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of this title for individuals serving without pay. ”

“ Determination of conflicting interests.--An agency shall determine whether a person under consideration to serve as convener or facilitator of a committee under paragraph (1) has any financial or other interest that would preclude such person from serving in an impartial and independent manner. ”

“ Organization of the Conference. (a) The membership of the Administrative Conference of the United States meeting in plenary session constitutes the Assembly of the Conference. The Assembly has ultimate authority over all activities of the Conference. Specifically, it has the power to--
(1) adopt such recommendations as it considers appropriate for improving administrative procedure. ”

“ For purposes of Federal income, estate, or gift taxes, property accepted under this section shall be considered as a gift, devise, or bequest to the United States; (13) accept voluntary and uncompensated services, notwithstanding the provisions of section 1342 of title 31; (14) on request of the head of an agency, furnish assistance and advice on matters of administrative procedure; (15) exercise such additional authority as the Council or Assembly delegates to him ”

“ A neutral who serves as a conciliator, fa­cilitator, or mediator serves at the will of the parties.
(c) The President shall designate an agency or designate or establish an interagency committee to facilitate and encourage agency use of dispute resolution under this subchapter. Such agency or interagency committee, in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies and professional organizations experienced in matters concerning dispute resolution, shall—
(1) encourage and facilitate agency use of alternative means of dispute resolution ”

“ Membership.--The agency shall limit membership on a negotiated rulemaking committee to 25 members, unless the agency head determines that a greater number of members is necessary for the functioning of the committee or to achieve balanced membership. Each committee shall include at least one person representing the agency. ”

“ A member who disagrees with a recommendation adopted by the Assembly is entitled to enter a dissenting opinion and an alternate proposal in the record of the Conference proceedings, and the opinion and proposal so entered shall accompany the Conference recommendation in a publication or distribution thereof ”

“ The Council shall call at least one plenary session each year; (2) propose bylaws and regulations, including rules of procedure and committee organization, for adoption by the Assembly; (3) make recommendations to the Conference or its committees on a subject germane to the purpose of the Conference; (4) receive and consider reports and recommendations of committees of the Conference and send them to members of the Conference with the views and recommendations of the Council ”

“ Upon request of the agency, the convener shall ascertain the names of persons who are willing and qualified to represent interests that will be significantly affected by the proposed rule, including residents of rural areas. The report and any recommendations of the convener shall be made available to the public upon request. ”

“ Project Designation.— The Secretary may designate a project to be a short sea transportation project if the Secretary determines that the project may— (1) offer a waterborne alternative to available landside transportation services using documented vessels; and (2) provide transportation services for passengers or freight (or both) that may reduce congestion on landside infrastructure using documented vessels. (e) Elements of Program.— For a short sea transportation project designated under this section, the Secretary may— (1) promote the development of short sea transportation services ”

“ The board shall include representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal, State, and local governmental entities and private sector entities. Sec. 55604. Research on short sea transportation The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, may conduct research on short sea transportation, regarding— (1) the environmental and transportation benefits to be derived from short sea transportation alternatives for other forms of transportation ”

“ Highway improvements strategically important to the national defense § 312. Detail of Army, Navy, and Air Force officers § 313. Buy America § 314. Relief of employees in hazardous work § 315. Rules, regulations, and recommendations § 316. Consent by United States to conveyance of property § 317. Appropriation for highway purposes of lands or interests in lands owned by the United States § 318. Highway relocation due to airport § 319. ”